Anita's blog is largely about gratefulness - hers and others - but she also posts about things important to her including books, reading, literacy and Aboriginal arts and culture. The above photo was taken by Tammy Law at Anita's TEDx talk in Brisbane, 2013.

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Thursday, December 4, 2008

Press Release: ASA in partnership with Australia Council for the Arts

Press Release

The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) and the Australia Council for the Arts are pleased to announce a new partnership. In 2009, the Australia Council’s support for emerging writers will be administered by the ASA.

The program will be known as “The Australia Council’s Emerging Writers/Illustrators’ Initiative managed by the Australian Society of Authors”. The ASA will assess applications and disburse emerging writer and illustrator grants for a total of $175,000.

ASA Chair Dr Anita Heiss said: “We already work with emerging writers and illustrators through our successful mentorship program. This provides us with a further opportunity to nurture and support the creation of Australian literature in its many forms.”

“We see this as an extension of our professional development programs. We aim to provide Australia’s literary creators with the means to have a sustainable career,” added Dr Jeremy Fisher, ASA Executive Director. “With this program, emerging writers will have the support of an organisation dedicated to enhancing the professional development of Australia’s literary creators.”

The Australia Council’s chair of the Literature Board, Dr Imre Salusinszky, welcomed the move. “We believe that the synergy offered between the Australia Council’s funding and the ongoing support for emerging writers offered by the ASA through its mentorships and other professional support – the creation of a “one stop shop” for new writers – will be of enormous benefit for practitioners,” he said. Susan Hayes, Australia Council Director of Literature, agreed, adding: “The Australia Council and the ASA have worked together successfully on numerous projects and I look forward to this new development”.

The Australian Society of Authors: Principal advocate for the professional and artistic interests of Australian authors. Protecting basic rights to freedom of expression, working to improve income and conditions, promoting Australian writing and literary culture.